Genesis 31:40

40 Thus it was with me: in the day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from mine eyes.

Genesis 31:40 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:40

[Thus] I was
In such a situation, as well as in the following uncomfortable plight and condition: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night:
the violent heat in the daytime scorched him, and the severe frosts in the night pinched him: that is, in the different seasons of the year, the heat of the day in the summertime, and the cold of the night in the wintertime; for it cannot well be thought that there should be excessive heat in the day and sharp frosts in the night, in the same season of the year: it looks as if Laban did not allow Jacob the proper conveniencies of clothes, and of tents to secure him from the inclemency of the weather, which other shepherds usually had: and my sleep departed from mine eyes;
through diligent care and watchfulness of the flocks in the night season, which on some occasions were necessary; see ( Luke 2:8 ) .

Genesis 31:40 In-Context

38 These twenty years have I been with thee: thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock I have not eaten.

39 What was torn I have not brought to thee; I had to bear the loss of it: of my hand hast thou required it, [whether] stolen by day or stolen by night.

40 Thus it was with me: in the day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from mine eyes.

41 I have been these twenty years in thy house: I have served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy flock; and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

42 Had not the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, been with me, it is certain thou wouldest have sent me away now empty. God has looked upon my affliction and the labour of my hands, and has judged last night.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit. 'Thus I was.'